One year in, Teal View Wetlands thrive

For the past year, 39 acres north of Hampton have become a natural resource for Hamilton County residents. The many croaks and chirps of the new life testify to change.
Those around, as well as Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District (NRD) officials proclaim the progress made in restoring the Teal View Wetlands Education Area and the benefits that come from wild, damp grasslands.
“People might wonder why the NRD is involved in this project,” said project development manager Jack Wergin. “It is because we have 12 responsibilities as an NRD and this project could probably fit into at least 10 of them, but the main purpose (is) for (the) development (and) management (of) efficient wildlife habitat(s). That’s one of our responsibilities and another one is developing (and) management of recreational and park facilities.”
Once there were many wetlands dotting the dry prairies of Nebraska, according to the NRD, but overtime farming needs took precedence. Wetlands were filled in to have more ground for crops.
“Farms that farm through wetlands sometimes... lose their crop if it’s too wet,” Wergin said.

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